I don't understand sinful thoughts

[MissyMay]

Ok, I kinda get the concept of, like, planning to actually do something in your head is just as sinful as the act you’re committing, and that sexual graphic thoughts for the purpose of lust are sinful, but other than that, I am very confused about when our thoughts become sinful. In particular, about lustful thoughts, or thoughts that pertain to imagination and storytelling.

 

[Julian0404]

Well this is how I approach the subject.

Thoughts come and go all day for the simplest of reasons which can start as pure or business oriented or whatever, even as prayers. However, once a thought enters your conscience, and begins to take shape and form your thinking at that moment in time, and in that process, you realize that this thought, which again may have had an innocent event trigger the thought, but none the less, once you realize this thought is moving into areas which will lead you to further thoughts that, if acted upon would be sin, then at that moment of recognition of the thought, I take action by saying the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, and/or simply repeating slowly “Jesus and Mary help me”.

My goal is to redirect my thoughts back into a proper course which does not lead to sin.

These thoughts may be a focus of anger against someone. A thought of “how to” secure vengence. A thought of lust. A thought of pride, such as “I am better than so-and so”. Any myriad of thoughts, which if you continue giving them life in your mind, will only lead to having “mentally” designed a sin which at the moment is without physical action, but which if you continue to “design” this sinful thought, could manifest itself into action.

So, as soon as I come to the understanding of the direction my thoughts have taken me, I corral them back into a Christian reference by calling on St. Michael first, as I view these thoughts as “the day of battle” and the prayer to St. Michaels requests his help in “the day of battle”. Generally, I win very quickly calling on his assitance. On the few occassions were the thought presists, I call on Jesus and Mary.

Sin thoughts become sinful only when you embide them and relish in them and feed them and continue to pursue them. Kill them as quickly as the come, and it is not sinful, just a distraction.

 

[JRKH]

Ok, I kinda get the concept of, like, planning to actually do something in your head is just as sinful as the act you’re committing, and that sexual graphic thoughts for the purpose of lust are sinful, but other than that, I am very confused about when our thoughts become sinful. In particular, about lustful thoughts, or thoughts that pertain to imagination and storytelling.

Julian gave a good answer.

I would just like to address your last part. “thoughts that pertain to imagination and storytelling”…

Thoughts concerned in storytelling, such as what an author might consider for his characters are not sinful in and of themselves, Jesus himself told of sinful actions in his parables. The Good Samaritan story, the Prodigal son etc. had people doing bad things in them. But you will also note that Jesus did not dwell on the negative, but moved swiftly to the positives.
That covers “storytelling”.
As for “Imagination” I’m not sure what you mean - If it is related to “I’d like to do or say thus and so, but never would”, then it would fall under sin.

Peace
James

 

[Bookcat]

(from previous posts)

Regarding thoughts

while Jesus makes it clear that one can sin in ones thoughts…just cause some lustful thought happens does not mean that one sinned…

(and one can have a sufficiently good reason to think about sexual matters…for instance studying moral theology…but care must be taken to avoid things that would be a problem…but that is another question)

What should we do with* unwanted* sexual thoughts? Those pesky temptations that can come …even though we are not seeking them etc…

(there are of course some things we should avoid that cause them…and there can be sin if it is something one should reasonably avoid…but often they come uninvited)

First…Relax. Do not worry.

Now are they mortal sins?

For a mortal sin one needs a grave matter …full knowledge AND deliberate consent!!!

for a venial sin …one has to consent …and when thoughts happen and you do not want them or hate them…they displease you…it is a sign of NO CONSENT

A. If you do not want the thought…it the thought displeases you: it can be a sign actually that you did not give consent or do not give full consent.

B. Even if you felt a temptation for the thought – and were drawn to it —but rejected it and maybe even turned to God : again a sign not full consent.

C. But what if one has a tempting thought --say of a sexual nature and even hesitated for a moment…but then rejected it for one did not want to sin? : it can be partial consent perhaps (and thus a venial sin)-- or it may be no sin at all but rather a strong temptation that drew you but then you saw what was happening and turned away.

D. A temptation can even be very strong or the thoughts very often – but this does NOT mean one has consented! so worry not…even it they go on for a long time…

remember --for it to be mortal there must be that deliberate consent!

What to do? on the spiritual side–relax first of all and remember the above.

Next – know that the more one fears the thoughts the more likely they are to come… or said another way --the more a person seeks to avoid the thoughts the more likely he will have a problem with them. (but do not worry about this either!)

for example: for the next 10 seconds try NOT to think of an apple.

tick tock …

tick tock…

Ok what did you think of? Most likely an apple.

So it is best to ignore them and just not consent and then turn your attention to some other good thing…for instance whatever you are doing. Simply do not consent and move on. and do not worry

another point – thoughts can just happen --they are the stuff with which we think…it is up to us to consent and take them further or not. and just because they are REAL VIVID and almost “think themselves” does not mean per se that one has given ANY consent.

they can be annoying…but need cause no actual harm …

 

[Bookcat]

As to imagination or storytelling…yes such can be sinful if they are lustful for example…or near occasions of sin…there is much that can go into this question. But much care needs to be taken in the sexual realm here…

of course stories about…say robbery etc are not going to be normally sinful…unless say for example they lead you to start stealing…

it depend on the story and the imagination…

but no we should not be imagining sexual acts as part of reading stories…

 

[Bookcat]

and of course we need to choose wisely what stories to read …etc

some things or parts of things should simply not be read…